Can a person with prostate cancer continue their normal lifestyle? Yes, it is possible to lead a normal life despite having advanced prostate cancer. However, living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease and developing a second cancer. There are many ways to get started on this healthy lifestyle. First, consult with your healthcare team about your overall health and what to do next. Routine screening is a crucial part of post-cancer care. It will help detect second cancer in its early stages.
Radiotherapy is another option for men with advanced prostate cancer. This treatment works by using high-dose radiation to kill cancer cells within the prostate. It may be delivered through an external or internal radiation source. Sometimes, it may also be delivered through radiopharmaceutical agents. Depending on the stage of your prostate cancer, radiation therapy may cause side effects such as impotence. Surgical removal of the testicles may be an option. If hormone therapy fails or if the cancer spreads, newer hormonal treatments may be tried.
There are different types of prostate cancer. Some are benign and don’t spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, it may be life-threatening, but it’s not always necessary to undergo a surgical procedure. In these cases, treatment may be enough to control the condition and lead to a good quality of life. If it is not caught early, prostate cancer may cause problems with urination, weight loss, and bladder damage.
PSA tests and DREs are excellent ways to diagnose prostate cancer early. Early detection can save a person’s life by halting the progression of the disease and extending their quality of life. However, a PSA test may be false positive and miss a mass. It can also suggest something is wrong when the prostate is perfectly healthy, leading to unnecessary biopsy. Using a DRE, a doctor can detect a slow-growing tumor that might not be harmful to the patient.
A man’s diet is also a major factor in his risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies have shown that men who eat a diet high in red meat are more likely to develop prostate cancer. High-temperature cooking causes meat to produce substances that cause cancer. Hence, countries with a lot of red meat are more likely to have this condition than those with a low meat consumption. In fact, studies have shown that men from the West have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer compared to their counterparts in Africa.
As with any cancer, there are no definitive causes of prostate cancer. This disease develops when cells from the original tumor multiply beyond control, breaking off and spreading to other parts of the body. These secondary tumors are known as metastases, and they are called metastatic prostate cancer. This cancer type can even spread to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to treat. So, how can a patient cope with advanced prostate cancer?